Campaspe residents urged trust gut and call Crime Stoppers

CAMPASPE Shire residents have the power to help solve a crime and even prevent it from occurring if they just speak up.

As part of National Crime Stoppers Day today, May 18, police are urging the community to ‘Trust Your Gut’ and report what they know to nation’s pre-eminent information service.

The Campaspe region has had more than 150 tips through Crime Stoppers over the past six months which Detective Sergeant Barry Gary said had been extremely useful.

“There is very rarely, if ever, information received through Crime Stoppers that does not assist with an investigation to some extent,” the head of Campaspe Criminal Investigation said.

“Information from Crime Stoppers is useful in assisting ongoing investigations and also providing new information that leads to the commencement of investigations.

“It often leads to solving crimes, some of which may have otherwise gone unsolved.

“The information provided to Crime Stoppers could and does help in things like stopping local hoon drivers, reducing the harm caused by illicit drugs, preventing family violence, reporting generally suspicious behaviour or any other multitude of offences.

“The impact of drugs is a concern for not only for the community but also for police and the numerous other agencies working towards reducing the supply of drugs and minimising the harm they cause. Calling Crime Stoppers is a good way in which the community can assist in reducing their own concerns.”

An independent national survey commissioned by Crime Stoppers Australia has revealed as many as one in five Australians turn a blind eye to unsolved crime and suspicious activity rather than speaking out – largely because of personal safety concerns.

However, DS Gray said the beauty of Crime Stoppers was you could report anonymously.

“Crime Stoppers has been and continues to be a very useful means for people to provide information without having to say who they are,” he said.

The research also found a number of respondents second-guessed themselves before picking up the phone or going online to make contact.

“To me, there is no such thing as a little piece of information,” DS Gray said.

“Sometimes information a person might think is not that significant is actually very significant and may even be critically important.

“We want to hear what you have to say. We listen to and will act upon concerns in the community.

“There is a lot going on in the world right now and, unfortunately, a small minority of those in the community will continue to flout the law.

“It is always a concern when people take advantage of others vulnerabilities, but never more so when those vulnerabilities are heightened.

“To anyone with information who is thinking about passing on information to Crime Stoppers but hasn’t yet, please call them on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppers.vic.com.au”